He won the Heisman Trophy as a senior at Ohio State in 1995 then was drafted as the 14th overall pick by the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) in the 1996 draft. His mother was a flight attendant and at his agent's request she changed her schedule so that she could be in San Antonio to witness him signing his first contract.
The flight she would normally have been on, TWA Flight 800, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after takeoff.
2. Darren Sproles
Answer: Kansas State University
He attended KSU from 2001-2004 and upon graduation, he held 23 school records. After he graduated with a degree in speech pathology, he was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft.
3. Barry Sanders
Answer: Oklahoma State University
He played at OSU from 1986-1988. He chose to leave school early and enter the NFL draft where he was drafted third overall by the Detroit Lions. He played his entire career with the Lions. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1988 and has been inducted into both the college and Professional Football Hall of Fame.
4. Walter Payton
Answer: Jackson State University
He played at JSU from 1971-1974 then was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the fourth overall pick. He was given the nickname "Sweetness" while at JSU. The origin of his nickname has been attributed to his athletic grace, his personality or as a sarcastic jab at his running style. He is a member of the College, Black College and Professional Halls of Fame.
5. Emmitt Smith
Answer: University of Florida
He played at Florida from 1987-1989 then left for the NFL after his Junior year. He was drafted with pick #17 of the first round by the Dallas Cowboys. He had an amazing season in 1993, during which he won the NFL rushing crown, was named NFL MVP, won the Superbowl and was named Superbowl MVP.
He may be the only player ever to complain that the video game 'Madden NFL' had his skills rated too high.
6. Eric Dickerson
Answer: Southern Methodist University
He played at SMU from 1979-1982 then was drafted as the number two pick in the 1983 draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He was a six time All Pro selection and at the time of his retirement in 1993 he was the second leading rusher in league history. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
7. Jerome Bettis
Answer: University of Notre Dame
Also known as "The Bus", Jerome played at Notre Dame from 1990-1992 and left after his Junior year to enter the 1993 NFL Draft. He was drafted tenth overall by the Los Angeles Rams. After four years with the Rams, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers where he remained until retirement after winning the Superbowl following the 2005 season in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
8. Marcus Allen
Answer: University of Southern California
He played at USC from 1978-1981 and finished his collegiate career by winning the 1981 Heisman Trophy. He was drafted tenth overall by the Los Angeles Raiders. He retired in 1997 and joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He holds the unique distinction of being the first person to win the Heisman, a NCAA championship, a Superbowl and to be named both NFL MVP and Superbowl MVP.
9. LaDainian Tomlinson
Answer: Texas Christian University
He played at TCU from 1997-2000. While at TCU he twice led the nation in rushing yards. During a game in 1999, he ran for 406 yards, breaking the old record for single game rushing yards. He won the Doak Walker award, which is given to the best collegiate running back. He was chosen by the San Diego Chargers with the fifth pick in the 2001 NFL draft. He retired in 2012.
10. Earl Campbell
Answer: University of Texas
Nicknamed "The Tyler Rose", he played at Texas from 1974-1977. During his senior year he was awarded the Heisman Trophy, was named college player of the year by multiple publications and was a consensus All American. He was drafted with the first pick of the 1978 draft by the Houston Oilers.
He was known as an aggressive runner with the ability to break tackles. He was widely admired as a power runner by his peers. Pete Wysocki, a former Redskins linebacker once said "Every time you hit him, you lower your own IQ".
His coach, Bum Phillips was once asked if he thought that Earl was in a class of his own. He replied "I dunno, but if he ain't, it don't take too long to call the role"
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Fifiona81 before going online.
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